RE: [Harp-L] Gifted Players, Who I Play For

["Bill Hines" <billhines4@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'm probably reiterating what others said in bits and pieces, but to
give it some cohesion and from my perspective in another area:

I coached youth hockey in a very accelerated organization for about 12
years. This organization had the best kids, played at the top level, won
big all the time. So I saw a lot, as far as the kids go. It was very
interesting to watch these kids progress from 6 years old through
maturity. Broadly, there were several 'classes' of kids, even though
they were all good. 

Basically, there are several factors, and each kid had some combination
of them:

1. Passion
2. Built in determination/drive to reach a particular goal
3. Work ethic
4. Talent (whether that's God-given or DNA I'll leave to you and
hopefully we don't go THERE)
5. External factors (i.e. parents who were supportive or parents who
caused harm by their aggressiveness/attitudes, physical/mental
limitations, ability to participate logistically and monetarily, etc)

So how successful someone is going to be is basically determined by how
many of those they 'have' and to what degree. I probably even missed
some. I had one kid who was almost the 'perfect storm' (he was lacking
in #3 back then, but was young and not mature enough to realize that he
should still work hard despite he could skate circles around everyone
else). He was drafted in the first round of the NHL draft last year, I'm
proud that I was a part of his success. I wish I had a cut of his
signing bonus and salary, haha. 

I also worked as part of the coaching staff for an NHL farm team here
(one level below the NHL) for ten years and saw the same thing with the
'cream of the crop', amazingly enough. I saw many players that despite
being "one step away" from million-dollar salaries, would be more
interested in girls and partying rather than put that little bit of
extra time in the weight room or on the ice after practice. It was
always the guys that weren't as naturally talented doing that. They'll
regret it in a few years when the game has passed them by and they're
really working for a living. Some were very high draft picks that never
made it to the NHL, fans were perplexed but I had a front-row seat to
see why. I saw players that weren't born with much 'talent', and had
other shortcomings such as their physical stature, who are now full-time
NHL players based on their sheer will power. They could never spend
enough time in the weight room or video room with me. They were focused
and driven.

Same thing with musicians, and just about anything else. So there's a
sliding curve as far as how hard you have to work to reach a particular
level based on your natural abilities, and some folks just aren't
willing to put in the time/effort, often it's a case of #5, other
priorities, such as having to feed and care for the family! And to top
it off, the mix changes as we get older. I'm looking forward to early
retirement so I can finally learn how to play, haha. Priorities!!

Bill Hines
Hershey, PA

-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Dan
Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 10:16 AM
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Gifted Players, Who I Play For 


Dear List,
   
  I don't know if you call it talent, or chance, or what, but  certain
things seem to come easier to certain folks  My wife has clear aptitude
for sports. She par'd her very first hole of golf, and could've gone D1
in 3 different sports.  I, on the other hand, worked pretty hard on
basketball and just wasn't that good. My golf slice is brutal.
Alternately, she can't sing in key.  I can.
   
  I think we're all "talented".  The hard part is figuring out "at
what?" 
   
  Somehow, by chance or divine providence I found something that came
"naturally"  The harmonica is something that I "got." It is something
that touches me and its emotional impact on me is second only to
romantic love.
   
  Just like love, I think talent is one of those "it just happens" sort
of things.  Maybe it's the aligning of many small chances?  Looking back
at my own path it all seems kind of random. 
   
  I put in a ton of work that continues to this day (pretty pissed this
a.m. when there was only one broken harp in the car, but I made do
without hole 4).  Call it talent, call it gift, whatever; all I know is
that it's never felt like work.  When it's difficult it's never scared
me away.  Most importantly, I've not gotten sick of it.  
   
  I play a lot for "me" and onstage, I play for "everybody".  I am, of
course, included with "everybody".
   
  Dan G.
  CT
  www.edbluepills.com
   
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